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Topic: So that's it then? (Read 27538 times)

I see that the operations manager is back at work - so I think that is now 10 employees for a charitable trust that exists to inspire the next generation of engineers and designers (while not employing a single engineer)

Over the coming weekend, arrangements will be completed to have the aircraft safely stored in a quiet corner of the airfield surrounded by the containers and covers that will protect their ancillary and ground support equipment. All other non-essential items are in storage elsewhere on the airfield or in the warehouse facility attached to our webstore.

Supermarine Swift WK275 on loan to us by the owner as an exhibit has returned under cover to Hangar 3 with the kind support of 2Excel Aviation. Having already had several months of free storage courtesy of the airport, we must state that they continue to be very supportive and have tasked several people to help ensure the transition outdoors goes as smoothly as possible. We thank them most sincerely for their ongoing assistance.

Commenting on the move for the Trust, Robert Pleming stated; “With contractors arriving to start development work on the Cargo handling facilities at Hangar 1 next week, we need to vacate to an exterior storage area that has been prepared over the last few months. We have taken every precaution to safeguard all of the Trust assets during this period while we work towards building the new hangar.

These aircraft were designed to spend most of their operational lives outside, with time spent in a hangar kept to a minimum. We are happy that with the arrangements in place, the projected timescale for completion of the New Hangar and the plan for scheduled periodic ground running of XH558 during the next few months, we will not see any significant deterioration in her current excellent condition.“

Taff Stone, XH558’s crew chief and long serving chief engineer also added: “I’m perfectly happy we can keep XH558 protected in an outdoor environment until such time as she can move into the new hangar. Her non-standard issue gloss paintwork helps! Exploratory work undertaken on Canberra WK163 that exposed bare metal has also been suitably primed and protected, so she is fine too. Having XH558 outside over the coming months is actually easier for our ground handling, since we have several engine runs planned.”

So it's (it is)good news if crew chief thinks it will be ok. Probably best chaining her down for the winter make sure the wind or snow don't cause unnecessary problems. Looking forward to hearing that building is starting. There is loads of crap about never happening on "Dark Side" - they seem to be in a feeding frenzy (as Sam say). Makes me lmao.

Medium term storage? What ever happened to "we'll be in the new hangar by the end of 2017 - with tours and events starting in early 2018" (Andrew Edmonson in my redundancy interview)

Safely stored in a quiet corner of the airfield? That will be the engine running pan (with the Jetstream). For quiet corner read "out of sight, out of mind"

The trusts thanks the airport for their support? I would think both parties are both wishing they had never met.

"These aircraft were designed to spend most of their lives outside" Yes Robert, but while they were outside they were in use with power applied almost everyday and flying once in awhile which keeps the air circulating and prevents moisture building up in all the crevices. 558 will be run once in a blue moon and 163 will not run for the foreseeable future.

The good news is that they are not going to cover the aircraft with Tarps a originally planned. The reason is that when they priced up the tarps they found they could not afford it. What the hell did they spend £200,000 on? I have a feeling it was the wages for the remaining staff - which they keep adding to.

Looking forward to hearing that building has started? It would be nice to hear that the the land has been purchased or maybe planning permission has been made.

This is like watching a car crash in slow motion and it makes me so angry.

I think the management lost interest in this a long time ago and are just hanging on as long as there is money coming in to pay their wages. For the last six months we were in hangar three we never saw them - they just hid themselves up in their ivory tower office (behind a locked door so that we could not go up and bother them)

I can think of no reason why they are so determined to kill off all of their support the way they treated the club is a disgrace - after the final flight they would not even let Jane and Malcolm into the hangar!

Well its a sad day for me and Jacqui, Vulcan Scrubbers, we were both so proud to have had the Honour to have been all over 558 and to get to know all the wonderful Engineers.. Up on the wings with a bucket and mop scrubbing her wings and making her shine for all the shows she graced.At least we can say we were both on the last flight..Just a shame the new volunteers or (Jonny come latelys) have decided to remove our beloved Graffiti..

Still whatever..We have the photo's and memories..

Thankyou Sam for giving us the pleasure of cleaning her!!!

Hi Dee

I'm surprised you would think I would allow that bit of art to be removed off the aircraft!

Yes I have had the volunteers who were helping me over the winter maintenance clean the aircraft, however one patch was 'out of bounds'

I had and still do appreciate the work you scrubbers have done over the past and have taken a picture yesterday during the run.

Take care and hope to see you again sometime

Taff

Unfortunately the upload folder is full so I can't post the picture!! Admin please can you sort this out or if you would like to pm me Dee with your email I will sent it to you.